Bleh, my brain threatened with falling into a coma with this one. xD

Wariness

The High Lord of Tharglond regarded the excited crowd gathered at the altar with caution. A hundred young elves eager to become initiated warriors through the Ceremony of Light. Their expressions were a mix of determination, awe, and to some degree even fear.

He offered them an assuring smile dispelling any doubts they had about the vows they were about to take. He didn’t doubt their loyalty to him, but a gathering like this presented a tempting opportunity to his enemies. An assassin could easily move unnoticed in such a crowd.

While the priest spoke the necessary prayers the High Lord noticed an increasing unrest amongst his guards. He lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes in their direction. One of his guardians darted out of the temple and disappeared with some soldiers following closely behind.

The priest had also taken notice of the commotion but gave it no further attention then that.

The ceremony proceeded without any further disturbance and it was time for the Hight Lord to personally welcome the new warriors into his service. They started stepping up to him one at a time bowing deep until he placed a hand on their shoulder and thanked them for their devotion.

Suddenly to his left a slender figure slipped out from behind the banners covering the back part of the temple and strode up to stand beside him. Lorioloth flinched internally but kept his posture. The man next to him was not one of his guardians.

While bowing his head in recognition to the initiates he snuck a glance at the stranger trying to remember his face. He looked harmless enough but this was no one he had met before. The elf was dressed in tight white robes and held his hands tucked away behind his back.

Lorioloth excused himself to the initiate in front of him and took a discrete sidestep away from the stranger.

“Yes?” He asked sternly assuming the man had something to say.

“Forgive me my lord,” the elf spoke with a strange dialect but was quick to fall to one knee when spoken to. “I bring an urgent message from Erataher, I’m sorry it can not wait.” He revealed the letter he had been holding and presented it to Lorioloth.

Other participants: Anastasia V. Pergakis, S Frankie Blooding, and Veronica R. Calisto.

Comments:

“Excellent job. And a good show of wariness.”